Falcon Pro was one of the first big Twitter clients to fall victim to the API token limits imposed by Twitter, eventually leading the developer to remove it from the Play Store. Now just a few weeks after announcing a material redesign of the app, here it is. Falcon Pro 3 is available in the Play Store with a (very) limited free trial and in-app purchases for the full version.

Most of the things you'd expect out of a Twitter client are here at launch. There's URL shortening, multiple columns, push notifications, and so on. The UI definitely has material animations and proper status bar color. However, there are no theme settings, so you're stuck with the dark look. In fact, there don't appear to be any settings at all... anyplace. The way Falcon Pro 3 works is, apparently, just the way it works right now. Also, no widgets or DMs. That makes me sad. I suppose the good news is that the background notifications in the old Falcon Pro were always awesome, so hopefully that will be the case here.

Performance is solid on my devices, and I quite like the slide-out interactions list and the ability to post from multiple accounts simultaneously. If you want multiple accounts, though, it'll cost you. The free download only allows you to test the app with pre-defined lists. Adding your account requires a $3.99 in-app purchase to unlock the full app. Additional account slots are $1.99 each, but they transfer to all your devices. I'm fine with this setup—it seems like a good way to keep token usage from getting out of control.

So it's here, and that's cool. Still, I feel like Falcon Pro 3 still has some growing to do, based on my short time testing it. By all means, give it a look. This could become a killer app very quickly.

It'll be a real sad moment if those of us who have bought Falcon Pro previously, now have to repurchase just because there's a 3 at the back. Meh.

Tíghearnán Carroll

Did your cinema ticket for the first Hobbit let you watch the other two for free?

Tailor00

Wow, it's crazy and sad that there are suckers like you in the world.

Tíghearnán Carroll

Dude you spent hundreds on your phone, more than likely. With that in mind, you're saying that people who support devs who ask for a mere $4 for a complete rewrite of their application, is being a sucker?

How about, it's crazy and sad there are people like you in the world, who spent $1 on an application years ago and still expect free support to this day.

Well, the notion is really that the dev put a tweet that perhaps gave the impression he was redesigning the app as part of an update. Not launching a whole new app with a new payment system. So if the app really flies, there's really no cause for concern to purchase it. But I'd rather purchase something else entirely at this point instead.

Satan’s Taint

No, what's sad are cheap twats like you.

Mike

Was each of those movies different or was it essentially the same thing with a slight redesign?

TomBomadil

Actually, yeah, they kinda were the same thing...

Marcell Lévai

Man look at the old app and the new one, or check what 'slight redesign' means. It's a completely new app.

numpty

Neither, it was worse -- you had to pay for all three just to get one whole lousy story.

fcjan

what kind of stupid remark is this? so you say it's OK to pay every time app is updated? are you serious??

Rob

Do you have to pay to get the new version of Windows, Microsoft Office, Photoshop, CAD tools, Fifa/NHL game and so on? This is a usual way for desktop software, but with mobile apps everyone is now expecting to get an app and life-long, free(!) updates for a few dollars. I'm totally fine with paying a few dollars for the next big version/update/rewrite of a great app, to support the dev and make sure he can continue improving the app I like to use.

numpty

Every time? No. But as you well know, the last major version of Falcon had many free updates, and this one will too.

Satan’s Taint

Do you expect an ebook or audiobook for free when you get a paperback? Cheap twat.

Jack Smith

It would be nice. I expect a digital copy of a DVD / Bluray though.

TheNewGuy

So lets see.. Suppose an app costs you $4 and you use the same version for 4 months.. That is $1 per month.. That is like $0.03 per day..
Don't know what you make of this but it seems you didn't even pay the developer for his coffee let alone his rent and bills..

Grow up kid.. Or use the free official twitter app..

DrMacinyasha

It may be a beautiful app, but at $4+$2/acct I think I'll stick with the official Twitter client and keep getting real push notifications.

numpty

But also sponsored tweets, no decent mute facility and no TweetMarker support. I won't use any Twitter client that doesn't fix all three of those.

This joke is becoming lame pretty fast for all us who, you know, make our coffee manually and cheaply instead of popping over to Starbucks every day.

Also, $4 (+ 2 per extra account) for a mobile app that acts as a client for a free service is not exactly dirt cheap.

Jon

How many accounts do most people have? I hear muti account complaints a lot

Scott Harris

I have a personal account and a work account. I might consider paying $3.99 in a future update for my personal account, but no way in hell am I paying $2 just for my work account.

Bluewall

If it's your work account, maybe your company should give you 2$

RTWright

You are a really cheap bastard if you complain about a $2 purchase, I mean seriously? Oh, well, by all means, fall off the planet over $2..... I do not use multiple accounts, especially not for Twitter. That aside, the app being $4 is also pretty damn cheap. Has better interface than the "Official Twitter App" and is well designed. The missing features will come, so not a big deal (People need to get off their whining bandwagons and get over themselves or start programming your own app).

Oh as for it being for a FREE service? What the hell difference does this make? NONE! This has been going on long before there was ever Android! There has always been third party programs for several free services across the net long before people even discovered handheld wireless devices of any kind. Not all of those programs were free either, that's because someone took a lot more time in perfecting a program to do what they felt the original should have been doing all along. The people that liked it? Bought it! No questions asked. Of course they also had a free trial normally to get to use it for a bit before purchasing.

The only thing he's not doing is offering any sort of discount for people that bought his previous release. But at $4, I seriously don't care. Hell I have more than that on my Rewards account. People on these devices have become so damn cheap-minded to the point where they think .99 cents is too much. Do you go to McDonalds and bicker with them on the prices for their dollar menu too?? You really are that bad in how you come across about the prices of apps on the Play Store. You think $4 is too much?? Go get on the Apple App Store and you'll find far less there that's free and the prices for a lot of stuff starts at $9 and goes up from there. The ones that are cheaper than that are the ones I even question their worth.

Get over yourself!

Eduardo Pratti

This feels incredibly, insanely, stupidly, rushed. I have a lot of faith in the developer but this was honestly a horrendous way of launching an app. I really want someone to explain to me what makes a developer publish an app, with a big announcement, when said app doesn't even have a Settings page.

Yes, it will come in the next update. Yes, DMs will also come in the next update. Yes, basic features every single client has will be added in the future. But why would you release the app as it stands?

The refresh doesn't work instantaneously, the UX is pretty poor, since it doesn't use any UI elements to go back. You have to rely on your Back button. And the back button is 90% unreliable.

I don't know. Falcon Pro has a special place in my heart but this feels like a cash-in. Not because the app sucks, but because the app is nowhere near finished. It feels like he used the hype as an opportunity to release the app as soon as possible.

If you guys have any thoughts on this, please let me know. I'd like to discuss it.

Tíghearnán Carroll

Yeah it's shit that the app was released without them, but you're acting like it's a much bigger deal than it is, or that it'll be a massive chore to update the app when the update is released.

TheFirstUniverseKing

I think he should've waited, as he would've avoided all of these negative comments and reviews. But as long as those features are in the next update, I'm fine with waiting. I just won't actually buy the app until they're included.

tehdef

At the end of the day, this is this dudes livelihood and MOST users don't need these features to make twitter a social/reading app. It can favorite, star, RT, and tweet. It's fine.

It's only the shitty android power users who cry about features they hardly even use.

Paul Taylor

"It can favorite, star, RT, and tweet. It's fine." Seeing as the entire point of Falcon was to beat the official app on features, that's a ridiculous viewpoint.

Jabs

Google should just make the back button work better, its current state is the one part of android the I found most useful yet at the same time hate the most!

vlhz

Make better ... how? The back button is always in control of the current app and how that app is built and the button is used by the developer. What can Google do here?

numpty

They could have much better UI guidelines for what the back button should and shouldn't do, because I still barely understand the ones they have, and clearly a lot of other app developers don't either.

Tldr: back button goes back in time, toolbar back button goes back in hierarchy

ep5il0n

this is the firs time i am bying Falcon client, but what i see makes me believe in the developer:
- awesome design and polish
- proper lollipop animations
- overall fluidity is just amazing

To tell the truth - this is the first time since i stopped using iOS devices when i really feel like i am using an awesome twitter client (in terms of design till this day i haven't seen one great twitter client on android).

So no problem for me to buy. I am not spending much on apps these days anyway.

P.S. Of course i am no power user when it comes to twitter. And i do understand, that Falcon 3 is now too basic. I do.

Bob Omb

Try Fenix, best twitter app by far, imo.

Darklord

Its ugly(color scheme wise) and lacks animation sadly, Fenix is my main twitter client for now. might switch to falcon if/when he makes a complete app.

sweenish

This is how I felt about ActionLauncher 3.

The justification given was also poor.

tehdef

I want to know what makes a non-user feel so incredibly slighted by a product he didn't buy as to type a manifesto on why the developer shouldn't be following current developer standards and practices in the software development community.

PS: Nexus 5 Master Race reporting in, Back button works fine.

alamarco

He didn't hide and lie about the features that were in the app. Everyone buying should have known going in what the app offered. If the user didn't, it's their fault for not reading.

As for your question on why release it. This app is essentially a paid beta test. He's a lone developer and this is a good way to get the app out there and discover bugs. It's a complete rewrite and needs proper testing. He could have given the app away for free during beta test, but he choose not to. Free users hardly give proper feedback. Paid users will have a higher chance at giving the feedback he desires.

With regards to a "cash-in", that's uncalled for. If we are sitting months down the road with no update you can call it a "cash-in". As it stands, it's hardly a "cash-in". The app has been released for not even one day and hardly qualifies for a "cash-in". If he was trying to take advantage of the hype, he would of waited longer to let the hype build.

I find it incredibly rude to go on an attack when the app hasn't even been out for a day.

Tíghearnán Carroll

Did you even read the announcement tweet? He said DMs and Settings are in the next update, which you should have said in this article instead of just ranting about the lack of settings.

RyanWhitwam

I'm aware. So? This is far from a rant. It's not here now, and the app is available to everyone. It's valid to point out shortcomings. If it shows up in the next update, cool, but maybe that won't happen as soon as we might like.

ChrisM40

Im sick of this excuse for releasing unfinished bug ridden work, especially when you have to pay for it (and quite a bit for an app).

You dont buy a car and expect the engine to turn up 6 months later because its not finished, so software devs need to start treating their products like other manufactures do.

numpty

So what "bugs" have you found in this "bug ridden" release so far, exactly?

ChrisM40

It was a general comment. Ive not tried it because its missing so many obvious and necessary features and its not worth paying for, which is the aspect of my first comment that applies.

philnolan3d

The dev said Settings are coming in the next update in the official G+ account. I'm not crazy about paying again, especially if it's not finished. I'm going to keep using v2.x for a while.

Martin Nilsson

I'm so happy you guys are bitching about it - sounds like a guarantee that there will be tokens left for me ;-)

Secondly, of course this sucks badly. Many of us, including the dev himself, sort of look at Falcon Pro like an oldschool NES. It's now out with a fresh coat of paint and I for one don't mind throwing money at it. Both to keep it going as well as to tip my hat to the dev for doing what he can to keep a great client running just a little bit longer =)

philnolan3d

Well you're already guaranteed to have tokens, that was never a problem.

Martin Nilsson

It's probably running a different account, so there is the dreaded 10 000 tokens limit...

Jack Smith

10,000 or 100,000? If it's 10k then FUCK YOU TWITTER.

BigTimmay

10k.

Martin Nilsson

I had to Google it, it's 100 000. Feels like 10 000 though ;-)

philnolan3d

But we got around the limit.

NotAPayer

Nope. Fick that.

Epikarus

requiring paid users to repay for an update. thats just sad, its actually disgusting.

TJay229

It's NOT a update, it's a new app....entirely

CoffeeGeeker

I don't mind the fact that he's rewriting the app from scratch, updating the design, and charging people for it.

What I do have a problem with is how he abandoned Falcon Pro, and now the app doesn't work (well) on Lollipop, DMs don't update (in 4.x or Lollipop), and other known flaws and bugs in the 2.x version have never been fixed.

Because of that, I won't spend another dime on his apps. He doesn't support his old apps, so how will this one be any different.

TJay229

Well, that is YOUR CHOICE, it's your money.

He DID update the old falcon.. More than 3x if im not mistaken, and it works fine on my SGN4 so I don't know what to tell you other than, Don't buy it.

It won't effect my experience with it (as I've already bought it & love it) nor will it stop others. So, good luck with that.

Epikarus

Not updating your old apps and instead releasing a new app to replace it, is exactly what he is doing...

numpty

If it was just an update, he would still have the API token problem. It has to be a complete new app to get around that. Sure, he could make it free to everyone, but then the same people bitching about paying again would bitch that lots of new users were getting it for free when they had to pay for the last version.

Ok but i've already paid for using a mind-creation app made by the same author of the old one that it does the same thing (client twitter). It's not a new app that do something new (like could be Flyne). It's always the famous Twitter client.

TJay229

Obviously you're clueless as to how this works so, good luck with that.

It's actually a brilliant way to keep the tokens in check and to prevent piracy. Even if people pirate this app, they still have to pay to use a token. That was the biggest problem he had the first time around.

Yahren

I understand, but an invite or other system exist for customers, he chosen this way.

alamarco

It's a new version, what do you expect? When Microsoft Office comes out with a new version, does Microsoft give it to you for free? When Adobe Photoshop comes out with a new version, does Adobe give it to you for free?

The answer is no. New versions that aren't bug fixes and minor changes have always been a repurchase. I'm glad app stores are getting behind this tried and true system. Eventually new users dry up and slow down significantly. A developer deserves to be paid for producing new content that is a major change to the application.

xtremevicky

Pass. This is not 2014.

Sabil V

I'll stay with plume since I should paid for the dev again. I believe if the token limit hits the new falcon , the dev will create another paid version apps and left the beta of old apps.

Fernando Orozco

I don't have any problem paying $4 to use it, but charging almost $2 for adding another account is to sleazy, right now I'm dissapointed because my hopes where high but Joaquin really missed a huge opportunity, also no DM's and no settings just made me turn my back against falcon pro 3, I'll stay with fenix and official twitter client for now.

TheNewGuy

My guess is that the developers don't want you to add too many accounts.. Remeber the api token limit the dictators at Twitter Inc. have put on 3rd party apps?

Fernando Orozco

Falcon 2 let you use your own api keys so there's no reason to make that feature avaible on falcon 3

Önder Çatalkaya

I agree developer rushed it and used the hype. If you read this tweet you'll agree with me.
He 'decided' to write Falcon Pro from scratch and released the app today. He spent 19 days to develop an app 'from scratch' and you say it's incomplete :Dhttps://twitter.com/joenrv/status/547817733597822976

Bluewall

That's some pretty nice job in 19 days to be honnest

Önder Çatalkaya

Indeed it is. But the emphasis is on 'rush' part. I'm not judging his developer skills, it's obvious he's very talented.
I only say that I think the app wasn't ready for release.

What a bummer for an initial release... Used to love Falcon, but then Talon came along. I bought Talon LP the other day, but the dev is kind of losing it (trying to adhere to some Google design guidelines that make the app much more difficult to use and require more clicks per function) so I was hoping Falcon would win me back.

Maybe in a future version...

Roger

It may use Lollipop transitions but the design sure doesn't meet the Material Design guidelines.

Just use Tweetings, which got a really nice Material enhancement today for Lollipop

I dont think you guys know how hard the original Falcon Pro got screwed by pirating. This is the perfect solution and I think id like to see this with more apps to prevent theft.

Kenny Griffin

It really is a brilliant solution.

Ashraf Al-hujaili

I have already purchased falcon pro 2 years ago , and now I need to pay extra for primary account ?
I know you will say it's not the same app , but it's considerably an updated one only , giving the name and the developer are the same and of course the app is doing the same as previous one .. !!

It's mind boggling to me that people think this should be a free update. This is a completely different app. It doesn't even remotely resemble Falcon Pro 2, save for the colors. Maybe if he had renamed it something else people wouldn't complain so much, but you throw the Falcon brand on there and all the whiners come out.

I bought Falcon 2 and I just now purchased this as well. Would I have liked it to be free? Of course. Falcon 2 is over 2 years old now though and I only paid a couple bucks for it. Does that entitle me to lifetime free updates? No. The mindset of some who think it does is just crazy.

Michael

Linux and OS X updates are free. 3rd party app updates of paid apps are free. It's actually the standard. But to each his own. This doesn't influence me because the Twitter app works just fine, but I understand why some people would be upset.

John

3.99 for one account than 1.99 for additional accounts.... No thanks.. I'm not investing into twitter apps ever again only because of the token bullcrap.

Pretty smart move. Launching as Falcon Pro 3, and a redesign and requiring people to buy tokens, he accomplishes the following:

1. Twitter won't ban the app for skirting around token limits again. It's a "new app" and by that regard, it gets its own set of 100,000 tokens.
2. $3.99 is a high investment price; scares a lot of people off. Only true supporters who want it will buy it.
3. Additional account fee means that you aren't going to experience tons of tokens draining. One per payment.
4. IAP means that he can do serverside verification before authenticating the request and getting a token. Basically, you can't pirate it.

_artem_

my posts on g+ about his release:

+Lorenzo Rey Camejo that's the idea of google play dude. pay once get updates forever. wtf you sell it for 5 bucks. make your 500000 bucks. limit reached yoohoo. unpublish app. spend 1 min generating access tokens for new noname app. put it in your source code. republish the same version but with just new tokens inside this time, don't forget to add v2 aka " twitter flip off I shat on your limit ". get another 500k. unpublish. get new tokens ( costs you just a minute). change token in sources. republish it as v3 aka "magic twitter limit h4x0r". get another 500k. unpublish. and so on... I guess you got the idea. ﻿

he could just leave the original version on play store and he could just add another tokens when first reached its limit. so the app is working for old and for new users. I'm not talking about resetting tokens. it's stupidity. just use old tokens for those who already got access to twitter and new tokens for those who got the app after limit of first token was reached ﻿

+Derek Sharer and what will twitter do? ban your app tokens? you just create new app on dev twitter com. still spend 1 min. and update your app. your dev account on twitter got banned? omfg. register new email. register new dev account. create another twitter app. takes you all in all 3-5 mins. upload new version to play store ﻿

+Karl Smith it's just an example. twitter forbids you to create more than one twitter app? no cuz falcon and talon already had one app and now both have another one. the scenario I wrote above (about republishing " rewritten from scratch " app with the same name) will absolutely work. if it didn't you would never see falcon 3 or talon plus from the same devs who released the origin versions. I'm just wondering why they didn't go my scenario years ago. twitter isn't checking if that and that app already got tokens. even if it does... just add vN to the app name... juristically app has another name. so it's not the same app

Russian lowcoster airline dobrolet got into sanctions... what did they do? they changed company name to dobroletPlus and they weren't banned by sanctions anymore. why? cuz juristically those two aren't the same. ﻿